Review by Trailer
The inviting warmth of John Denver, the deceptive simplicity of Kris Kristofferson, and the swampy grooves of Tony Joe White. Comparisons are the crutch of a lazy critic, but I'll be damned if those three traits don't fairly aptly describe Brent Cobb's sound. Throw in a little Van Morrison sublimeness for good measure. If I'm gonna go the easy route, I may as well go all out.
Hailing from a musical Georgia family, Brent Cobb gets both his chosen career path and his sound honest. His dad and uncles were songwriters (in fact, they wrote one of this album's strongest cuts, "Country Bound" when Brent was 5) and cousin Dave, well, you know Dave. He's helmed a few records you might have heard before. He's at the board on this one too, and Shine On Rainy Day stands as a fine first full-album collaboration between the Cobbs.
Distilled to its most central theme, Shine On Rainy Day is an exaltation of home and simple living. Where the typical Nashville writer might see a party spot or a mudding hole, Cobb takes you on a thoughtful stroll through the cattails and dragonflies. It's an appreciation rather than an exploitation; one that shows respect for both the craft and the audience.
You might even say this was a further exploration of the themes of this year's Southern Family compilation (produced by Dave and including Brent and many other rootsy artists). It's certainly similar in atmosphere…the kind of music you'd rather have a front porch seat than a front row seat to enjoy.
"Solving Problems" opens the set with a knowing look at the simple joys of just hanging out with an old friend. "We ain't up to nothing, just solving all the problems of the world" Brent sings, imbuing the moment with an emotional weight that belies the self-deprecation.
"Diggin' Holes" has passed this way before; it's a release from a 2012 self-titled EP and was one of my favorite songs that year. It holds up well, with a sense of humor that recalls Roger Miller and a catchy tune that would fit well in most eras of country radio that aren't this one.
The title cut, previously recorded by Andrew Combs as "Rainy Day Song," is a near celebration of the dark days in life. I know the feeling. It's not about wallowing in misery, but appreciating and feeling the full depth of the lows so you can love the highs …"Laughing ain't a pleasure till you know about crying."
It's a strong and consistent set of tunes without a lull in quality. Shine On Rainy Day isn't a party record but it's light enough for a round of beers on the back porch while the grill smokes away. It's a humid afternoon with a cool breeze. A slow drive down a gravel road on the outskirts of your hometown, with nary a bro in sight. Cobb's debut has all the goods to satisfy both the buzzy ne'er-do-well and the homesick romantic in us all.
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Shine On Rainy Day is available on Amazon, iTunes, etc.
Showing posts with label Brent Cobb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brent Cobb. Show all posts
Oct 7, 2016
Album Review: Brent Cobb - Shine On Rainy Day
Labels:
Album Reviews,
Brent Cobb,
Dave Cobb,
John Denver,
Tony Joe White,
Van Morrison
Sep 16, 2016
Brent Cobb Performs "Black Crow"
From his forthcoming album Shine On Rainy Day, here's Brent Cobb with "Black Crow." Highly recommended if you like Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Anderson East, John Calvin Abney.
Labels:
Brent Cobb,
Live performances
Mar 26, 2016
Saturday Night Music: Brent Cobb (New Video from Southern Family Album)
Labels:
Brent Cobb,
Saturday Night Music
Mar 18, 2016
Miranda Lambert and Brent Cobb Perform "Sweet By and By"
Labels:
Brent Cobb,
Live performances,
Miranda Lambert
Apr 15, 2015
YouTube Gems: Brent Cobb - "Diggin' Holes"
Labels:
Brent Cobb,
YouTube Gems
Apr 2, 2015
"Yo Bro," a Fantastic Satire by Brent Cobb
Bro-country is certainly on the fade recently, but the tropes and clichés continue in a generally more watered-down fashion. In fact, it's not always so watered down, as Cole Swindell's new single features a truck, drinking, moonlight, and a girl shaking it "like the wind moves cotton." Therefore, the following song you'll hear is clearly still relevant. It's written and performed by FTM pal, singer-songwriter Brent Cobb, who 3 years ago put out our favorite EP of the year. Witness Brent's hilarious and biting "Yo Bro."
Labels:
Brent Cobb,
bro country,
YouTube Gems
Feb 25, 2013
Sean McConnell, Brent Cobb & Logan Brill - Wild Horses (Live)
Awesome.
Labels:
Brent Cobb,
Logan Brill,
Sean McConnell,
YouTube Gems
Dec 26, 2012
Top Songs of 2012 - (Very!) Honorable Mentions
These are the songs released in 2012 that fell outside my top 10, but I felt were worthy of mention...
not only mention, but excited proclamation actually. 2012 was a banner year for music -
mostly outside of the mainstream, though there were some true mainstream gems.
Here are FTM's honorable mentions for top songs of 2012, in no particular order.
Kacey Musgraves - Merry Go 'Round (Mainstream Country Song of the Year)
Fistful of Beard - White Bluff
Dwight Yoakam - It's Never Alright
The Departed - Prayer for the Lonely
Shooter Jennings - The Long Road Ahead
The Pollies - Ashes of Burned Out Stars
Horsehead - God Damned the Rain to Fall
Brent Cobb - Diggin' Holes
Ronnie Fauss - This Year
Corb Lund - One Left in the Chamber
Uncle Lucius - Pocket Full of Misery
Kendrick Lamar - B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe
Ryan Bingham - Western Shore
Kathleen Edwards - A Soft Place to Land
fun. - Some Nights
Zac Brown Band - The Wind
Bonnie Raitt - You Can't Fail Me Now
Alabama Shakes - Heartbreaker
Gretchen Peters - The Matador
ZZ Top - I Gotsta Get Paid
EL-P - The Full Retard
Darrell Scott - Dance in the Darkness
Alan Jackson - So You Don't Have to Love Me Anymore
Alan Jackson - So You Don't Have to Love Me Anymore
The Deadfields - Carolina Backroads
Kellie Pickler - Long As I Never See You Again
Smashing Pumpkins - Pinwheels
Blackberry Smoke - Crimson Moon
Lucero - Like Lightning
Marty Stuart - Sundown in Nashville
Kasey Anderson and the Honkies - Some Depression
Roger Creager - Bad Friend to a Good Man
Soundgarden - Blood on the Valley Floor
Josh Abbott Band - Flatland Farmer
Bruce Springsteen - Land of Hope and Dreams
Japandroids - The House that Heaven Built
Old Crow Medicine Show - Ain't It Enough
Lindi Ortega - Use Me
Frank Ocean - Thinkin' About You
Gary Clark Jr. - You Saved Me
Dec 21, 2012
YouTube Gems: Brent Cobb Covers Merle
From the guy with FTM's favorite EP of 2012, here's Brent Cobb with a cover of Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December."
Labels:
Brent Cobb,
Merle Haggard,
YouTube Gems
Dec 19, 2012
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